Attention Scottish Rite Masons!
The Orange County Scottish Rite Valley is creating a Master Craftsman Study Group. This is your opportunity to enhance your understanding of the Craft, its degrees, and esoterica; and a chance to participate in true Masonic scholarship with your brothers.
The Master Craftsman Program
For those unaware, the Master Craftsman is a by-mail correspondence course. Each participant is required to do some scholarly reading in advance and complete a written quiz which is mailed to the Supreme Council for grading. As each quiz is completed, a new one is sent and the program progresses. The course consists of 7 quizzes, after completion of which the successful participant will receive a certificate and a lapel pin.
Our study group is being formed to enhance the experience through fraternal collaboration, discussion, and rumination. We will be starting our sessions at the very beginning: Master Craftsman: Symbolic Lodge and ESOTERIKA.
Meetings and Collaboration
Study sessions will be held prior to each stated meeting at the Demolay Center in Anaheim. The first will be held Monday, July 1st at 5:30PM. This will give everyone ample time to get the book and do the reading. We will also incorporate an online discussion that participants can engage with between meetings using their computer or smart-phone.
The Orange County Valley is delighted to make this program of Scottish Rite Masonic Education available to its brethren. We hope you’ll take advantage of it.
Getting Started and Materials Needed
To get started, you’ll need to purchase the course and a book:
- Esoterika: The Symbolism of the Blue Degrees of Freemasonry by Albert Pike. You must purchase the course at ScottishRite.org. The cost for the first program is $60 and includes this book.
- Scottish Rite Ritual Monitor & Guide – 3rd Edition by Arturo de Hoyos. This $75 book can also be purchased at ScottishRite.org and is used later in the program (it is NOT required to get started).
If you already have a copy of Esoterika, the course is only $40. Again, the link for the course without the book is here:
https://www.scottishritestore.org/master-craftsman-scottish-rite-history-and-ritual-1.html
Please sign up and get copies of the books as soon as possible. I will be sending out specifics on the first required readings in the near future.
To Sign Up or Get More Information
For questions or information about joining, please contact me directly:
Andrew Todd
atodd@ocscottishrite.org
949.288.3739
I can tell you that the Symbolic Lodge portion of Master Craftsman is neither difficult nor time consuming. The reading is interesting and the multiple choice questions are simple. You will enjoy it and the group will be fun!
I look forward to hearing from you.